Maybe you’ve heard the preposterous news that Donald Trump has signed an executive order to remove endangered species protection for the grey wolf and a subspecies, the Mexican wolf.
As usual, he’s catering to the meat industry and wants to pave the way for ranchers to kill wolves to protect their doomed free-roaming cattle and sheep. His order said ranchers played a “vital role” in the food supply chain and American cultural heritage. Bullroar.
We want to set the record straight though—the President is not above the law and ESA listing decisions must be based on the best available science, according to Jennifer Best, director of Friends of Animals’ Wildlife Law Program.
Our ally, Eric Molvar, executive director of the Western Watersheds Project, agrees. “When a politician orders an ESA outcome, it is a direct violation of federal law because the Endangered Species Act requires that all listing, delisting, and appurtenant decisions be made SOLELY on the best available scientific and commercial information. Political preferences are not allowable as a criterion for delisting or listing,” he said.
He also points out that only US Fish and Wildlife Service can decide to delist wolves and that wolves cannot be delisted nationwide on a 90-day timeframe. This is a formal rule making process, and it takes time. The agency must first issue a proposed Rule to delist wolves, and open a comment period that must remain open for 60 days. Science can be submitted during this comment period, and the USFWS must carefully consider it. Peer review must occur.
Friends of Animals has a long history of interventions to protect wolves and we’ll stay glued to this issue.
Friends of Animals is also adamant that it is more important than ever for members of the public to remind their Congressional representatives that wolves need protection, and they should not support any legislation that would remove ESA protections for wolves.
“Attempts to strip wolves of needed protections is irrational and cruel,” Best said.